Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad

Fish Camp, Madera County, California. Landmark & Historical Place; April through November.

Details

Map. Fish Camp, Madera County, California. Larger map

Where: 56001 Highway 41, Fish Camp, CA 56001. Directions
When: Doors open from 9 am to 3 pm.
Getting there: Approximately 60 miles north of Fresno and 19 miles north of Oakhurst.
Fees: $42.40.
Access: Wheelchair Accessible.
Walk-in or reserve: To guarantee your reservation, buy your tickets online. Moonlight Special BBQ trains require a reservation.
Phone: (559) 683-7273
Website: ymsprr.com
Managed by: Stauffer family.
Established: 1967.

A California State Historic Landmark. Ride on a steam train and learn about the local history!

1908The track now used is restored on exactly the same grade used from 1908 to 1924. hmdb.org
1931The lumber company scrapped its original Shays after the company ceased operations in 1931; the railroad's two Shays, built in 1913 and 1928, were purchased from the Westside Lumber Co. of Tuolumne. blet.org
1954Rudy Stauffer moved his family to a property in Fish Camp purchased from the Wells; it lay on the old right-of-way of the Madera Sugar Pine Lumber Company. ymsprr.com
1967An engine house, ticket office, and museum were built and 2 miles of narrow-gauge track re-laid; the first run gave guests a "ride into history" behind an authentic steam engine. ymsprr.com
1981Rudy and Luce's son, Max, took over the railroad business; an additional Shay locomotive, the #15, was later acquired with more passenger cars. ymsprr.com
1987The marker was erected by Grub Gulch Chapter 41-49 E Clampus Vitus. hmdb.org
2026The Shay #12 locomotive arrived at the railroad in Fish Camp from its former home in Colorado, joining engines #10 and #15. yahoo.com

Jeff Harkenrider, conductor who narrates the history of the Madera Sugar Pine Lumber Co.
Scott McGhee, general manager of the Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad.
Dr. Clarence Wells, told Rudy stories about the logging steam trains; sold him the Fish Camp property.
Luce, Rudy Stauffer's wife; developed the Fish Camp land with him.
Max Stauffer, son of Rudy and Luce; took over the railroad business (took over in the fall of 1981; passed in 2017).
Rudy Stauffer, founder; purchased the first Shay locomotive and built the railroad with his family.